Police nab 82 suspected thugs in Niger State

Following the directive by the Deputy Governor of Niger State to community leaders to identify and flush out criminal elements in their areas, the state police command has confirmed the arrest of 82 suspected thugs so far.

The latest operation on April 8 led to the arrest of 15 more suspects around the Kateren-Gwari and Kwangila communities in the Minna metropolis, bringing the total number of arrests to 82.

In a statement released by the police spokesman, Superintendent Wasi’u Abiodun, the operation was carried out at about 2 a.m. when tactical units stormed several known criminal hideouts within the targeted areas.

According to the statement, items recovered from the suspects include: three sticks, four mobile phones, two cutlasses, one axe, three daggers, suspected cannabis, a shisha pot, two scissors, cable wire, an ID card, a torchlight, and some charms.

The suspects are expected to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and legal action.

Superintendent Abiodun also confirmed that normalcy has been restored to the affected areas, with sustained monitoring and ongoing raid operations.